This kind of crime usually entails at least twenty board strikes before being handed over to the disciplinarian Nanny for further correction. Someone like Cui Laner definitely could no longer stay within the palace, but now the slapping, executed by someone from Huaqing Palace, was akin to imposing a penalty as mild as forcing oneself to drink three cups.
Look, those slaps indeed sound loud but hardly cause any pain.
He was just about to explain the intricacies involved when a stern voice of admonition came from ahead.
The Noble Consort said, "Beauty Lian, today is the Longevity Event, and His Majesty has granted a general amnesty to the Harem, showering his grace far and wide. Having benefitted deeply from the sovereign’s grace, you should set an example and help alleviate His Majesty’s concerns. Cui Laner’s mistake lies in her reckless speech, unaware of your presence, but even if she has committed a grave fault, considering her repentant heart and the significance of today’s grand celebration, you should not have chosen today to punish her publicly, embarrass her, and cause her to cry out in grievance, potentially spoiling His Majesty’s mood.
In just a few sentences, she managed to trivialize Cui Laner’s fault and instead pinned the blame on Lian Hua for disregarding the emperor’s favor and becoming arrogant from favoritism.
Beauty Zhao was about to speak but held back, as she had just asked about this issue...
Indeed, the next moment, Lian Hua expressed confusion, "I didn’t punish her. I said I would report the matter to Consort De and ask the Consort to teach her the rules. She knelt down on her own, and everything was fine initially. Beauty Zhao, Attendant Zhou, and I were having a pleasant conversation, and I don’t know why, but suddenly Lady Cui burst out crying, startling everyone."
"What?" They were enjoying their conversation at Canglan Court? This matter was also reported to Consort De? Why had no one mentioned this before?
The Noble Consort’s cold gaze turned towards Beauty Zhao and Attendant Zhou, her lips edged with chilliness.
Beauty Zhao’s heart skipped a beat, realizing the gravity of the statement. Fearing that the Noble Consort might misunderstand, she quickly said, "Consort, a few days ago, Sister Lian had an incident. Although the sisters didn’t speak of it, all were deeply concerned. Just now when we heard Sister Lian had arrived, Little Sister Zhou and I showed our concern."
The Noble Consort’s expression slightly cleared. Canglan Court was as sealed as an iron drum, and making inquiries too noticeable considering her status. Moreover, the lady from Canglan Court seemed very cautious of her, leaving Beauty Zhao and Attendant Zhou as the perfect candidates to gather information.
Attendant Zhou took over the conversation, "Indeed, upon hearing Elder Sister Lian recount the events, it was truly perilous. A slight misstep could have led to disaster... Hearing this frightened us tremendously, and we are only relieved now knowing that Sister Lian, blessed with good fortune, and thanks to the skilled Imperial Physician, is able to meet with us today."
She patted her chest, adopting a greatly relieved demeanor.
The Noble Consort’s thoughts stirred, realizing that the fact Lian Hua stood before them indicated she was mostly unharmed, but she was unaware of what had transpired in Canglan Court following the Imperial Heir’s incident, leaving her uncertain. Attendant Zhou’s words were exactly what she wanted to hear, pleasantly surprised that Lian Hua had brought it up herself...
With this in mind, she suppressed her full hatred, softened her icy demeanor, and was about to speak when she heard a long sigh.
She and everyone else looked over, only to see Lian Hua sighing languidly before them, patting her stomach and murmuring something under her breath with a worried face. The voice was too low to discern clearly, suggesting deep anxiety.
Could it be concerning the Imperial Heir...
The Noble Consort immediately shot a look at Beauty Zhao.
Beauty Zhao perceptibly nodded slightly, then turned to ask Lian Hua with concern, "Sister Lian, why the sigh? You look so troubled, if there’s anything bothering you, feel free to share it with us, and we will help you alleviate your worries."
"Hmm? What happened?" Lian Hua regained her focus, she hadn’t noticed their conversation as she was quietly murmuring about right and wrong, also wondering when these people would leave, especially with the Noble Consort present as she had to accompany her, delaying her chance to earn some golden melon seeds.
Beauty Zhao smiled and said, "Just now it seemed like Sister Lian was muttering something, can you share what it was about? The Noble Consort and we all care about you very much."
Lian Hua looked up at the Noble Consort and thought to herself, "Beauty Zhao really has a sense of humor. The Noble Consort wants to harm me more than care for me."
She hesitated for a moment and felt that it might not be good to express her desire for them to leave immediately. It would be too demeaning, and besides, since it wasn’t her place, what if someone opposed her directly? So she said with difficulty, "This... it’s not easy to say, let’s just leave it unsaid."
As she spoke, she pinched the feather arrow in her hand and instinctively touched her belly, looking at the Noble Consort with an extremely troubled expression as if to say, it was inconvenient to speak with the Noble Consort present.
The Noble Consort, unable to hide her rising anger, let a cold harshness spill from her uncontrollably, "If you have something to say, just say it. What are you looking at me for?" as if guarding against a thief.
Every time she encountered this woman from Canglan Court, she couldn’t help but lose control!
"I’m afraid that speaking out might displease Your Highness." Lian Hua appeared very considerate of the Noble Consort. Follow current novᴇls on novel(ꜰ)ire.net
Listen to this! When has she ever considered my feelings?
The Noble Consort suppressed her anger: "Just say it."
"Oh..." Since that was the case, she would speak her mind.
Just as Lian Hua was about to speak, she saw Cui Laner being slapped soundly, which sparked a thought, and she changed her approach, "Ah, about that, just now, I was pondering, and it seems that the Noble Consort has treated me exceptionally well, worried that I’m naive, always teaching me morals. Just like the person who just made a mistake, she merely gave a scolding, and just..."
This infuriated the Noble Consort, who hurriedly sent people off to toss pots for golden melon seeds.
She counted on her fingers, muttering, "Adding the twenty slaps now, that makes only twenty-six words, yet the lessons taught to me are... oh, countless, an awfully long sentence..."
Glancing at the Noble Consort’s grim face, feeling that it wasn’t enough, she intensified her efforts, continuing to recite past incidents: "Also, that time at the small banquet..."
The Noble Consort’s face turned livid, her heart skipped a beat: "Enough!" To continue would let the entire world know her bias against this woman from Canglan Court.
Changzai Zhou almost laughed out loud, barely managing to restrain himself. Claiming it as advice, it directly pointed to the Noble Consort’s injustice. Only now did he realize how interesting Beauty Lian truly was—daring to stir things right under His Majesty’s nose. In all these years, had the Noble Consort ever felt so suffocated?
At this thought, Changzai Zhou felt a surge of exhilaration, considering the trip not a waste at all today.
Lian Hua pretended to be puzzled, looking straight at the Noble Consort: "Consort, wasn’t it you who told me to speak? Why, are you not listening anymore?"
The veins on the Noble Consort’s forehead bulged, the frustration inside her mounting, and her chilling gaze, sharp as a venomous snake’s, fixed on Lian Hua, her aura spreading menacingly.
A heavy atmosphere enveloped everyone, the air almost felt solid, and everyone instinctively bowed their heads in fear.
Even Changzai Zhou had to lower his gaze to avoid the sharpness. He thought to himself that Beauty Lian was truly formidable, daring to challenge the Noble Consort with just her modest status. Indeed a brave soul. It seemed the other’s prediction was not wrong—she was a rare and sharp weapon, if only...
Confronting the Noble Consort directly, Lian Hua felt not a hint of fear, even nearly laughing, thinking that the Noble Consort was much easier to deal with now compared to before. Previously, one could tell she was angry, yet she could still force a kind smile at her, and then set traps for her. Now was better, no more pretense, quite good indeed.